Pakistan’s High Commissioner Maruf’s Controversial Return: Caught Red-Handed in Cox’s Bazar Women’s Scandal

Staff Reporter

Dhaka, May 13, 2025: Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Syed Ahmed Maruf, has hastily returned to Pakistan following allegations of an alleged immoral relationship with Hafiza Haq Shah, an assistant director (AD) of Bangladesh Bank in Cox’s Bazar. The scandal, which has spread on social media, has sparked intense controversy, leading to Maruf being sent on indefinite leave.

Assistant Director Hafiza Haq Shah works in the Foreign Exchange Department of Bangladesh Bank. Attempts were made by BDD to contact her, but she declined to speak. However, sources within Bangladesh Bank reveal that while interactions and meetings with embassy officials are common due to her role in the Foreign Exchange Department, her communication and visits with the Pakistani High Commissioner were unusually frequent.

Sources indicate that officials at the Pakistani embassy were aware of the relationship between High Commissioner Maruf and Assistant Director Hafiza Haq Shah. Hafiza regularly visited the Pakistan embassy. The matter came to light during Maruf’s recent visit to Cox’s Bazar, sparking widespread criticism. During the Cox’s Bazar trip, their alleged inappropriate relationship was “blatantly exposed” at Hotel Sea Pearl, making it difficult to cover up. It is known that several newspapers have evidence related to this matter, though they refrained from publishing it due to pressure from Yunus Sarkar’s press wing. This forced Pakistan to recall its important asset.

A similar incident occurred recently involving an official from the Saudi embassy, leading to the arrest of Meghna Alam under the Special Powers Act. The Yunus government systematically suppressed the incident.

Analysts are discussing whether this incident will affect diplomatic relations between the two countries. A professor from the International Relations Department at Dhaka University, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “While such incidents raise questions about diplomatic decorum, it may have a temporary impact on Bangladesh-Pakistan relations. However, the long-term effect will depend on the subsequent steps taken by both countries.”

The Pakistan embassy has not issued any formal statement on the matter. However, the allegations against Maruf on social media have sparked strong reactions among citizens of both Bangladesh and Pakistan. While some view it as a personal matter, others believe it is unbecoming of a diplomat’s stature.

Earlier, in 2015, Farina Arshad, a female diplomat at the Pakistan High Commission, had to leave Bangladesh over allegations of financing militants. Such incidents continue to heighten sensitivity in bilateral relations.

The Bangladesh government has yet to issue an official statement. However, diplomatic sources indicate that discussions are ongoing behind the scenes between the two countries.